Summary

During Lunch, Brian, a Squatting Ghoul, thinks about growing old. He dismisses the thought, happy it is Break Week.

Brian lives in the Region with his fellow compatriots. As a Ghoul, he spends most of his time in his assigned Maws of Hell workhouse. The Region consists of "eleven other plenteous underground workhouses" too (2). Byway Paths traverse the Region, so Visitors can travel through.

The next day, Brian goes to the Room, "a great space for a relaxed chill-out" (2). The Room has Bowling, a fake meadow, real flowers, and fake fish.

In the Room, everyone is allowed to "mingle with individuals from [their] sister workhouses" (2). They are also allowed to mate. Some people ignore the mating couples, others throw them words of encouragement. When Brian sees Tom Frame mating with Gwen Thorsen, he says hello. Tom is from his workhouse. Gwen sometimes works...